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Oh, how I don't want the summer weather to end!

P.S. Please excuse the beach hair :o)

Time...

Time is something that we too often take for granted. When we have 'too much time', we're bored. When we 'don't have enough time', we're stressed. Somehow, we're never satisfied with the amount of time we have in our lives.

Lately, it's started to slow down at work. My daily desk job is in the customer service field--vacation rentals, actually. Summers are spent dealing with guests' complaints, booking only a few reservations, and just doing our best to keep our heads above the water. As summer winds down, the calls become fewer and I find myself having more time on my hands. Don't get me wrong; by this time each year it feels great to not have as many difficult calls to deal with. At the same time, it seems like there's so much extra time; unproductive time. The booking season begins to pick up but that doesn't occupy my day nearly as much as issues during the summer.

I actually look forward to going home so I can continue work on my many projects. I don't want to go to bed at night feeling like I've not accomplished anything that day. I've been organizing a lot of my research materials for my Montessori Albums--I admit I spend hours finding the right articles, printing new material, compiling information, organizing and reorganizing. Does anyone else out there slightly obsess over such things? I know I'm not alone on that front :o)

I also take time every couple of days to make jewelry. A local store started carrying my pendant necklaces this summer and they can't seem to keep enough of them in stock! It's been incredible to find the ins and outs of selling my pieces in a retail setting. In the past, I've just sold a few to friends and friends of friends. It's all been by word of mouth and just for fun. Now it has become much larger and I'm starting to build a name for myself locally. It's great to see and hear that people appreciate what you do!

Back to the topic at hand... I choose to spend my time productively and on things I enjoy because I know that's something I have control over. I can't control how much extra time I'll have at work each day--that changes by the minute sometimes. But I CAN choose how much time I have when I'm at home. The amount of time spent on projects can be changed depending upon my stress or energy level, etc. I choose to be productive so as not to become 'bored'. I also choose not to overschedule myself in an effort to de-stress.

Maybe that's something that we need to be more careful about. CHOOSING to allow ourselves enough time each day, yet not depriving ourselves of the opportunity to enjoy each moment. To lead productive, full lives without the stress of overscheduling and overcommitment. What do you think? Doesn't our society dictate our time too often? We're either lazy or strung out--nothing in between. Food for thought, I suppose. Good words to ponder.

An Appropriate Introduction

I suppose I should properly introduce myself. I'm your typical, but not so typical, 20-something trying to find their way through life. I'm extremely passionate--almost obsessive sometimes. But that can be one of my best qualities :o)

I guess you could also call me 'artsy-fartsy' and 'crafty'. I spend most of my free time on projects; anything from sewing to scrapbooking, painting to photography, and jewelry making to cooking. I'm more of the 'enjoy my time at home' type, for sure. Don't get me wrong, I truly enjoy spending time with friends and just getting out and exploring the world around me. But it brings me deeper joy to devote my energy to projects and those who are closest to me.

I currently work at an office job--not my long term goal but a great, easy job for saving money for the future. I worked previously in a Montessori school which is where I found my niche. I believe that the Montessori method and way of life provides a well rounded foundation in each child. It enriches their lives more than any educational setting I've ever seen. I look forward to completing my certification and having a classroom of my own. To guide those precious children in their own journey. To provide them with the tools necessary and allow them to explore, create, and grow in that environment. And to give them the school experience I wish I could have had myself.

I love life and the future it holds. I know that there is so much in this world that I'd love to see and experience. I also know that I'm not bound to my current situation. I choose to be here today in order to give myself a better future. Each day is an opportunity to grow and improve. Each day is a step closer to the goal. And each day is a blessing.

Every time I watch the sun go down, I know that I'll wake up to another new beginning.

Disclaimer: I'm not quite sure where this blog is going to lead. Just like my life, it will evolve with each day that goes by. We'll just have to wait and see where it goes. I hope you'll join me on this journey and look forward to taking you with me.

My New Beginning

It's been a few years now since I was a part of the blogging world.

I'm at a point in my life where I see things beginning. Beginning to change. Beginning to move in a new direction. But really beginning to move in an old direction. A rebirth of sorts. It only seems appropriate that I allow this new/old beginning to permeate different areas of my life.

So here I am. Again. I look forward to where this rebirth will take me.